Spreading Cheers To Yolanda Victims

Other private firms would do it once or while the international attention is in it, but there are companies that continue to help until the affected people fully recovered.

The promise of a joyful new year full of hope comes to Ormoc and other provinces after Uratex, the Philippines’ largest manufacturer of commercial and automotive polyurethane foam products, continues to donate mattresses to areas devastated by super typhoon Yolanda in the Visayas.

One of the earliest companies from the private sector who responded to widespread calls for help for victims of the destructive typhoon, Uratex already donated a total of 4,000 mattress relief packs (mattress, blanket, T-shirt) to various individuals and groups from provinces.

These include a donation of 2,200 mattress relief packs for Leyte through Ann Petilla, wife of Department of Energy Secretary Carlos Petilla and former Leyte governor; 300 mattresses for Boyet del Prado and the municipality of Albuena, together with their medical mission; Mayor Sandy Javier (also owner of Andoks), of Javier, Leyte, with 300 pieces of mattresses; Antique, through Rep. Paolo Javier with 200 pieces; the Bantayan refugees in Cebu with 200 pieces; and Tacloban through TV network TV5 with 800 mattresses.

Not resting on its generosity, Uratex has already reserved a total of Php2 million and 2,000 mattresses for Uratex’s contribution as they go into the “rebuild” stage of the rehabilitation efforts for typhoon-stricken areas.

Uratex also partnered with other institutions like Dow Chemical, where they donated Uratex mattresses, T-shirts and blankets through TV5 Alagang Kapatid Foundation.

And just recently, Uratex extended another round of mattress donation, this time to Ormoc City, together with its joint-venture partner INOAC of Japan. On hand to receive the donation on behalf of Ormoc City was Rep. Lucy Torres of the 4th district of Leyte, who personally received the 1,275 mattress relief packs during simple turn-over rites held in Taguig City.

This latest effort by the two companies thus brings their combined efforts to 10,000 mattress donations, making Uratex and INOAC one of the biggest donors in typhoon relief initiatives.

Rep. Torres expressed her thanks to the company because in the past, every time the district needs help, Uratex is always of assistance through its PR Director, Big Boy Cheng.

“The Yolanda disaster is big news in Japan. What we can do is provide the mattresses for the victims,” says INOAC Philippines Corporation Vice President Hirotake Deguchi, who was present during the turn-over ceremony.

“Especially now with Yolanda affecting us, we are very thankful for all the help our district is getting. These mattresses are kind of a luxury right now since the people will prioritize the roof over their heads or food but for them to be actually receiving mattresses it’s already a blessing from heaven. I am very excited for the people to receive them. I know they will be very happy,” says Rep. Torres, who was accompanied by her husband, actor Richard Gomez.

The congresswoman also noted the good news that the situation in Ormoc, according to Rep. Torres, has already stabilized.

“It has stabilized in the sense that the people have accepted where we are now. We acknowledge that there is so much work to be done. We are grateful for all the help pouring in but the people themselves make it a point to rise over adversity, that they can’t be content with just dole-outs. What we are really working on is restoring livelihood opportunities for the people. When that is restored, then you empower them, you restore their dignity also, then they’d start living normally. It’s a long process but I think if you are committed, and we do it one day at a time every day, we can do it,” adds Torres.

INOAC, one of Japan’s largest and most active manufacturers in high polymer chemistry composed of polyurethane, plastics, composites, and rubber, is the first Japanese company to produce polyurethane foam in Asia. Together with RGC Foam Group-Uratex Philippines, the two pioneers, experts and market leaders in the foam industry, formed a joint-venture company called INOAC Philippines Corporation.

The Author

Divine Reyes is a broadcast journalist and a college professor in the Philippines. Disclaimer: Articles posted in DivineReyes.info are only the author’s personal views and are in no way connected to where she is currently affiliated. Some review articles may be sponsored or items are given for free in exchange of presenting an honest opinion. For inquiries, email divinereyes.info(at)gmail(dot)com.